Regulations Summary and Area Map July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015

This brochure is designed to provide the public with information and a summary of regulations pertaining to hunting and other recreational use on the Carr Unit of Blackwater Wildlife Management Area. Regulations that are new or differ substantially from last year are shown in bold print. Area users should familiarize themselves with all regulations. For exact wording of the wildlife laws and regulations, see the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s wildlife code, on file with the Secretary of State and state libraries. This brochure and the Florida Hunting Regulations handbook should provide the information necessary for you to plan your hunting activities. These publications are available from any Commission office, county tax collector and at MyFWC.com.

Persons using wildlife management areas are required to have appropriate licenses, permits and stamps. The following persons are exempt from all license and permit requirements (except for quota permits when listed as “no exemptions”, recreational use permits, antlerless deer permits and the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp [federal duck stamp]): Florida residents who are 65 years of age or older; residents who possess a Florida Resident Disabled Person Hunting and Fishing Certificate; residents in the U.S. Armed Forces, not stationed in Florida, while home on leave for 30 days or less, upon submission of orders; and children under 16 years of age. Children under 16 years of age are exempt from the federal duck stamp. Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975 and 16 years of age or older must have passed a Commission-approved hunter-safety course prior to being issued a hunting license, except the Hunter Safety Mentoring exemption allows anyone to purchase a hunting license and hunt under the supervision of a licensed hunter, 21 years of age or older.

Licenses and permits may be purchased from county tax collectors, license agents, at MyFWC.com/license or by telephone at 888-486-8356.

Special-Opportunity Permit Information:

Special-opportunity Released Quail - 1, $100, special-opportunity released quail permit (no exemptions) for each of 16 released-quail hunts. Each permit is valid for up to 4 hunters.

Permit applications: Hunters must submit electronic applications for special-opportunity permits through the Commission’s Recreational License Issuance Services (RLIS). Worksheets listing hunts, application periods, deadlines and instructions are available at county tax collector’s offices, FWC offices or MyFWC.com. Application periods occur throughout the year beginning April 1; please refer to the hunting handbook or MyFWC.com for specific dates. Worksheets will be available about 2 weeks prior to each application period.

Transfer of permits: Special-opportunity permits are transferable, except permits issued to persons exempt from paying permit fees are only transferable to another person exempt from paying permit fees.

General Area Regulations:

All general laws and regulations relating to wildlife and fish shall apply unless specifically exempted for this area. Hunting or the taking of wildlife or fish on this area shall be allowed only during the open seasons and in accordance with the following regulations:

It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this area.

No person shall cut, damage or remove any natural, man-made or cultural resource without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.

Taking or attempting to take any game with the aid of live decoys, recorded game calls or sounds, set guns, artificial light, net, trap, snare, drug or poison is prohibited.

The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is prohibited.

Hunting, fishing or trapping is prohibited on any portion of the area posted as closed to those activities.

People, dogs, vehicles and other recreational equipment are prohibited in areas posted as “Closed to Public Access” by FWC administrative action.

Taking or herding wildlife from any motorized vehicle, aircraft or boat, which is under power is prohibited until power, and movement from that power, has ceased.

The planting or introduction of any non-native plant is prohibited, without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.

Littering is prohibited.

A Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat, in accordance with law.

Fires are prohibited.

Falconers may hunt during the statewide falconry season anytime a management area is open for public access. Falconers are not exempt from special-opportunity permit requirements.

Public Access And Vehicles:

Open to public recreational access year round.

Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads and must enter and exit only at the designated entrance.

Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.

No motor vehicle shall be operated on any part of any wildlife management area that has been designated as closed to vehicular traffic. Motorcycles may only be operated on roads open to other motor vehicles.

All-terrain vehicles are prohibited.

Hunters:

Hunting equipment may not be taken onto the WMA until after 8 a.m. the day before the opening of a season and shall be removed by 6 p.m. 1 day after the end of the season.

Guns:

Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited.

Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm must be in the presence of a supervising adult.

No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

For hunting quail, only shotguns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used.

Hunting with full automatic or silencer-equipped firearms, explosive or drug-injecting devices and set guns is prohibited.

The discharge of a firearm outside of periods open to hunting or in areas closed to hunting is prohibited per s. 790.15 FS.

Dogs:

Hunting with dogs, other than bird dogs orretrievers, is prohibited.

No person shall allow any dog to pursue or molest any wildlife during any period in which the taking of wildlife by the use of dogs is prohibited.

For purposes other than hunting, dogs are allowed, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times.

Camping:

Prohibited.

Bag And Possession Limits:

Quail - Daily limit 12, possession limit 24 per person.

Special-Opportunity Released Quail Season:

November 8-14, 15-21, 22-28; November 29 through December 5; December 6-12, 13-19, 20-26; December 27 through January 2; January 3-9, 10-16, 17-23, 24-30; January 31 through February 6, February 7-13, 14-20 and 21-27.

Each special-opportunity released quail permit allows a group of up to 4 persons to release and hunt quail.

Pen-raised quail may be released on hunt days only.

Released quail shall be purchased from a licensed game farm. All cartons in which quail are being transported shall have the name, address and license number of the game farm from which they were produced and the name and address of the person who transports the quail.

Quail may be hunted from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset.

Trapping:

Prohibited.

Fishing And Frogging:

Prohibited.

General Information:

Wildlife management areas and state forests are not just for hunting and fishing.They have been purchased for preservation to benefit all of Florida’s residents and you don’t have to hunt or fish to enjoy them. The same habitat management practices that provide hunting and fishing opportunities also create opportunities for wildlife viewing. These areas provide a range of opportunities, from scenic driving routes to rugged hiking adventures. See thenatural Florida that we have protected through acquisition and careful management.

Information for persons with disabilities can be found at MyFWC.com/ADA.

If you have any questions about this material, please call the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 850-265-3676 (TDD 800-955-8771).

The FWC is not responsible for protection of personal property and will not be liable for theft of or damage to personal property.

Please report the location of any sick or extremely skinny deer to the Chronic Wasting Disease hotline, toll free at 866-293-9282.

Florida Forest Service Rules And Information:

The Florida Forest Service requires a fee at some day-use areas and all campgrounds. Hunters are exempt from paying day-use fees 2 weeks prior to and during scheduled hunts. All campground and other fees apply. For information on general recreation and fees, please contact the Florida Forest Service at 850-957-6140.

Florida traffic laws relating to vehicles and vehicle operators apply on this area. The operation of an unregistered or unlicensed vehicle is prohibited.

No person shall operate any vehicle on managed lands controlled by the FFS at a speed greater than 30 mph, unless otherwise posted.

No person shall operate any vehicle on managed lands except on designated roads, parking areas or other areas established and specifically identified by the FFS.

No person shall consume alcoholic beverages on managed lands where designated or posted by the FFS.

Construction of permanent or semi-permanent structures on state forests is prohibited.

Florida Forest Service management plans include prescribed burning most months of the year. For personal safety reasons, area users should contact the FFS for information and location of burn areas, 850-957-6140

Cooperation Requested:

If you see law violators or suspicious activities, contact your nearest Commission regional office or call 888-404-FWCC. You may qualify for a cash reward from the Wildlife Alert Reward Association.

The U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: The Office for Human Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. The project described in this publication is part of a program funded by federal dollars under the Wildlife Restoration Act. Federal funds pay 20 percent of the cost of the program.

FWC Facts:Armadillos are not native to Florida, but are now common over most of the state. They like forested or semi-open habitats with loose-textured soil that allows them to dig easily.